Chain Reading

I just wanted to save people some time. This book is not bad, but it is incredibly over-rated and over-hyped. It is simple intrigue, the kind of stuff you pick up in an airport. The ideas presented about specific pieces of Renaissance art are FICTION. The author is certainly imaginative, but it seems that some people take his imaginings too seriously. The topic of the sacred feminine has been handled much better by many different authors--for a fictional look at the Sacred Feminine, I would like to suggest The Magic Circle by Katherine Neville. She is a better writer than Dan Brown, in my opinion.

This is a great book from a great author. I am a christian and being so disagree with the main premise of the book however I still find it an interesting read and a great work of FICTION. I highly recommend this book to anyone know matter what faith you may practice.

The writing is torturous, the ideas are laughable... why is this so popular? Got me. I suppose it's alright for a quick read and a laugh (or groan), but really... there are so many other (better) books in the world!

Great story, great theory, great writing, but not overall what it really could be. It keeps you intrigued, thrilled, and amazed well after your finished with the last page, so on that level this book is totally worth it. On another spectrum, this book could have been written in a way that presents this theory in a more acceptable fashion.

I'd put this book in the "Nothing Special" category, if not for the fact that it's "Worth Reading" just so that you know what is going on when your friend starts rattling his trap about it. Brown's writing style is marginal at best and his "puzzles" are very simplistic, but for some reason he has gotten people's attention. I would hope that a better writer would come along, learn from the "genius" of Dan Brown's marketing tactics, and get a much better book out there into the public eye. There are way too many people that have made a huge deal about this book. It's FICTION. Get over it people. I would agree that this book is probably a pleasant "airplane read" and shouldn't change anyone. The story moves at a decent clip, but is by no means amazing. So, if you'd like to keep up with your neighbor, and know what he's talking about when "The DaVinci Code" comes up in casual conversation, give it a go. After all, it's not the worst book you could pick up. You could definitely do much worse.

This book had the hokeyist writing and worst plot I've seen anywhere short of a romance novel, as well as ridiculous descriptions, and huge factual errors. The heroine has a 'haunting, mysterious gait'. I think it means she scuttles sideways and hide behind cars.

Three hours of my life I will never get back.

The book is intersting in the story-line development, but does not have a good ending. Actually for a fiction book it does not have a happy-end. It is more like "to be continued", but without much to imagine what can actually happen. As a chrisitan I have to say the research and data in this book is poor. The understanding of various views and history of Christsiany is misguided. The author states in the begining that there is a lot of facts there, but a careful reader will see there is very little fact. Altogether I would not recomed this book, since I consider it a waste of my time and yours.

FAD

The only thing remotely compelling about this rather predictable and poorly written novel is Dan Brown's theories behind his plot. Whole lot of controversy for something that's mostly fluff.

I would say it's worth reading, but I think anyone looking for something stimulating will be disappointed. The ideas aren't original but the plot is intriguing and interesting enough for a gripping junk-lit read. Personally, I think it is rather shallow and the author doesn't attempt at all to write in a unique style. There is no innovation in his storytelling and this is not a masterpiece by any means. The structure is sound but it is not challenging or poetic in any sense. It is simply a story told, and the same plot structure is used in every single one of his novels. This is a thriller with a little bit of culture (albeit simply theories and not fact) thrown in along the way.

Overhyped and overrated. A book I would read if I had nothing better to do. Despite its compelling plot, I was not able to connect with this book.

It's pure entertainment. Do NOT take it as a work of fiction meant to educate.